Why doesn't Obama go to Wall Street?

[oldtime dfl_er]

Is it a bad idea politically?????? The people occupying Wall Street (and occupiers all over the nation) are not some radical fringe group, they're the people whose lives are being held hostage by the Tea Party and the obstructionist GOP and the corporate greedmongers. If Obama wants to position himself in opposition to those groups, he could do a lot worse than to go to Wall Street and listen to the people.

[joeybee12]

1. He could have gone to Wisconsin, too...nt

[Ikonoklast]

39. They didn't want him there.

The Wisconsin protestors knew it would become an Obama vs. Walker fight then, and not a People of Wisconsin vs. Walker fight.

The Republicans desperately wanted Mr. Obama to go to Wisconsin. They knew it would have been a big propaganda win for them if he did. "Poor little Governor Walker, getting bullied by the big bad President!"

There were many news articles posted here about that here, how Wisconsin demostrators did not want their issues overshadowed by a larger political fight.

[villager]

2. For the same reasons he didn't go to Wisconsin, I gather. In spite of the campaign trail talk

...about "picking up a sign and marching along with you," etc.

[white_wolf]

3. If Obama went to Wall Street he would likely be supporting the bankers.

He has proven which side he's on.

[dennis4868]

27. yep, that's why...

they are all giving to repub candidates and want to kill the financial reform law...wtf?

[banned from Kos]

30. some people cannot go on with life unless all the "banksters" are beheaded

and Rosanne Barr is their intellectual leader.

[white_wolf]

33. They all gave to Obama in 08 as well and will give to him again.

Face it, they own both parties. Whoever wins, we lose.

[dennis4868]

40. no they are not....wrong!

[Romulox]

42. Bad guys double cross each other all the time. Obama still took their money in 2008. nt

[dennis4868]

43. okay...so?

He also put in place the toughest wall street laws and rehulations in many years (and it would have been stronger if not for the dems in the senate). And we also will have a consumer agency looking out for people like us. This has made big business very mad and they are now throwing all their money at repubs.

[Romulox]

44. So he lay down with the dogs, and now says he wants to be a dog-catcher.

:shrug:

[Hawkowl]

4. He goes there all the time

How do you think he picks up his campaign money? Yeah, I wish I was being sarcastic.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

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[nomb]

6. Because he's not insane. n't

[B Calm]

7. because he's part of the problem. . .

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. Probably not a good idea -

For one thing, any time a president goes anywhere he has to bring a huge security entourage with him, and I'd guess the Secret Service would want to clear the streets and search everybody -- so it would be a logistical nightmare.

Also, he runs the risk of politicizing the event in a way that might actually backfire.

[RagAss]

9. Because if he did he'd be a hero....and he don't want that ....obviously !

[Skittles]

10. they're his boss?

[MadHound]

11. What, and join those who oppose his corporate masters?

Perish the thought. Same reason he didn't go to Wisconsin either.

[Vanje]

12. Because he is not on the side of the 99%

Obama is wholly owned by the 1%

[Whisp]

13. bad idea all around.

First I'd like to ask if a President has ever done this before - I don't think so. And why would Obama be expected to do something that could be very hurtful to him politically.

What is he did show up and some planned disruptors turn the protest into mayhem - which would be very easy to do fro the Pugs and Baggers? That would be make Obama appear like he's the reckless socialist that the Baggers already claim.

I think it's best if he just stayed away and perhaps just comment on it in the next while.

[Jack Rabbit]

14. He's afraid Rahmbo will call him a retard

Just my first thought.

[mmonk]

15. Goldman Sachs says no.

[bigwillq]

16. It's a states issue, silly!

:rofl:

[Fuddnik]

17. He does.....for fundraisers.

[Brother Buzz]

18. Because Obama can't find comfy walking shoes

[Solomon]

19. Aw jeez. yet another goalpost. it never

ends.

[blogslut]

20. OWS doesnt really need that

Think about the logistics of a presidential visit - the security, the sweeps.

The Occupy Wall Street movement is doing a pretty darn good job on its own. It is inspiring occupations across the nation and it's as grass root as any movement seen in the last 40 years.

I love me some Obama but in this case, his physical presence is not required.

[MrScorpio]

21. Because, sometimes, it's better for the people to lead and validate your revolutions...

Every president represents the establishment.

If we wanted one that didn't, we should have elected Eldridge Cleaver or Abbie Hoffman when they were alive.

[PragmaticLiberal]

22. I want him to continue trying to get the Jobs Act passed.....

but thats just me....

[bluestate10]

31. Welcome to DU. Good to have one more pragmatist on-board. nt

[Octafish]

23. That would be a game-changer.

There is no reason not to go, especially seeing how the Democrats are the party of the people. At least, they used to be.

[jberryhill]

24. And do what?

[bluestate10]

32. Good question, obviously no one thought past that. Except two that I see. nt

[Fire Walk With Me]

25. This movement is truly democratic. We don't want them moving backwards!

[tularetom]

26. He couldn't add anything to the event

He would just be a distraction. He'd divert attention from the protests themselves and suck all the oxygen out of the situation.

Besides he doesn't want to piss off the people he needs to hit up for his 2012 campaign.

[zipplewrath]

28. He can't control it

To be quite honest, I can't really blame him. They aren't particularly demanding anything upon which he can "deliver" and more than one person is concerned that this could go badly. It could be that various people will attempt to make it turn ugly and violent. Anyone could show up and cause trouble.

[TNLib]

29. If he went to Wall Street it would be to hang out with his Buddies on Wall Street

nt

[me b zola]

34. LOL, Ed Schulz couldn't figure it out today either

Ed was saying that this is what Obama has been waiting for. ROFLMAO

You do understand who Obama appointed as his economic advisers, yes? And that with the exception of a few window dressings, Obama has continued the same policies and ideology that got us into this mess, right?

The hour is getting late.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

35. The last thing needed by OWS is a politician from the establishment they are trying to bring down.

[bvar22]

36. His bosses wouldn't like that.

*


You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.

Solidarity!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[JDPriestly]

37. I predict that he will make polite comments of qualified support and then

turn to Wall Street for campaign donations without qualifications or restraint. It's about money for him. The OWS campaign is about getting corporate money out of politics. Obama is about putting it in. And Obama is not the worst of our politicians in this respect. But he isn't the best either.

[mfcorey1]

38. Horrible idea. I think he has learned a lesson that he cannot stick his nose in every situation.

It often backfires and he has to have some sort of summit to ease how the media twist him into a pretzel for it. OWS is the people speaking and the focus should not be taken away from the people. Therefore, that is where power really is.

[Romulox]

41. Ultimately, he doesn't agree with the protesters. That's the straightforward explanation. nt

[Luminous Animal]

45. He did. For a $35800-a-plate dinner.

[GSLevel9]

46. Why, to visit his friends and contributors? Lol

[Snotcicles]

47. Talk about a security nightmare. nt

[Bragi]

48. I'm sure O is terrified of OWS

Extra-electoral direct action to achieve political goals is scary for conventional politicians and parties.

Why? Because they don't and can't control people who engage in direct action to achieve political goals.

[Marrah_G]

49. You must have him confused with someone who cares about the 99%

[Dreamer Tatum]

50. Because his checks are on direct deposit. nt